The Shunyata Improvisation Group play an extraordinary style of music; intimate, distinct, quiet, acoustic, entirely composed in the moment with each of  our concerts providing an immersive meditative experience.  Inspired by Zen approaches to art, emphasising spaciousness, the group explores both textural and melodic forms of improvisation. 

The group have released three albums, featured on the seminal Tusk Editions compilation album series, performed in music venues, sacred spaces, art galleries and the Tusk and Djazz festivals.  The group have been broadcasted on Radio 3, Tusk TV and Panic Radio France.

Created in 2018 to develop improvisation inspired by Zen Art Principles audience feedback has confirmed the beneficial emotional impact the music creates.

The Hallé’s lunchtime Chamber Series at Hallé St Peter’s provides a unique opportunity to hear players and guest artists perform in more intimate surroundings.

Hallé oboist Virginia Shaw has a second passion – the Japanese Shō Made of bamboo pipes, this mouth organ is said to mimic the call of the phoenix – a legendary sound indeed! East meets West in music for oboe and string quartet by Takemitsu, and in pieces for Shō by the late Belgian composer, Wim Henderickx.

John Garner presents the fourth instalment of 'Making It Up', a series of events exploring improvisation through performance and discussion.  Welcoming a different duo partner each time, the sessions feature a set of fully improved music followed by a live discussion between the artists and a Q&A with the audience.  John is joined by Newcastle-based songwriter, improviser, artist and workshop facilitator Tobias Sarra.

John Garner (violin)

Tobias Sarra (voice, piano, guitar)

Free admission

A totally unique double bill, and two very different but complementary line-ups. Sheffield-based 12-piece electric guitar ensemble 'Hearing Things' specialise in the performance of minimalist pieces, and we're truly delighted to welcome them to The Lescar to perform Terry Riley's masterpiece 'In C', beautiful and insistent music, illuminated and enhanced by this wonderful ensemble, which features Thomas Padmore, Sam Richardson, Ross Jones, Romain Chen, Ric Booth, Rachael Osguthorpe, Peter Brooks, Kevin Jones, Ian Baxter, Helen Wynne, Ellie Long, and Dafydd Spink.

The acclaimed duo of powerful bassist John Pope and mercurial virtuoso violinist John Garner perform music that is interactive, joyful, and channelled through a shared improvisational language developed over many years of playing together. Mixing pure improvisation with music by the likes of Alice Coltrane, Ornette Coleman and Don Cherry, they've performed at venues across the UK. Bass player John Pope is one of the most exciting improvisers on the UK jazz scene, playing at The Lescar most recently in a fabulous trio with US-based saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock and drummer Johnny Hunter, as well as with his own glorious and acclaimed quintet, with award-winning trio Archipelago and with US sax legend Michael Moore. A vibrant and inspirational musician who brings so much to every performance, John has appeared at festivals and venues including London Jazz Festival, Lancaster Jazz Festival, Manchester Jazz Festival, TUSK and Gateshead International Jazz Festival, the Bimhuis in Amsterdam. Violinist John Garner is one of the most exciting and unusual voices to emerge in recent years, combining immaculate technique with a fearless musicality and free-wheeling improvisational aesthetic, John has toured and worked internationally with artists and groups as diverse as Chris Potter, guitarist John Williams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Kate Williams' Four Plus Three, and Jim Rattigan's Triplicity and Riot Ensemble.

Here's some of their music: https://youtu.be/hyXRwRENfLQ?si=v0keDkVCxyF0GklL

John Garner (Violin) / Mark Carroll (Cello) / NofC (Voice / Melodeon / Percussion) / Mick Wright (Guitar) / Ziv Taubenfeld (Bass Clarinet)

The Shunyata Improvisation Group playing violin, cello, guitar, percussion and voice, create an extraordinary style of music; intimate, distinct, quiet, acoustic, entirely composed in the moment. Each concert provides an immersive meditative experience. Inspired by Zen approaches to art, emphasising spaciousness, exploring both timbral and pitch-based improvisation.

For this performance, they are joined by bass clarinettist Ziv Taubenfeld and guitarist Mick Wright.

“Yesterday’s performance was one of the most emotionally uplifting pieces I have EVER heard...... perfect sounds in a perfect atmosphere.” Andy Wood, Editor TQ ZINE

A list of Jim Rattigan’s accomplishments would fill pages, just as his music fills the air with the sheer joy of creativity. One of the world’s foremost exponents of the French Horn, he is also one of the few to have convincingly adapted it to jazz.

In this, his latest project, he presents new compositions specially written for this superb jazz and string quartet. Experimenting with this non-traditional line-up to create vibrant, exhilarating music. Expect melodic French horn lines, space for improvisation, and complex yet accessible music.

Jim Rattigan – French Horn / Compositions /Arrangement

Hans Koller – Piano

Calum Gourley – Bass

James Maddren – Drums

John Garner – Violin

Marie Schreer – Violin

Alison Gordon – Viola

Louise McMonagle – Cello

Having played together now for many years, powerful Tyneside bassist John Pope and mercurial virtuoso violinist John Garner have developed a unique improvisational language, channeled through the lens of their contemporary experience in myriad musical traditions. Described by A Jazz Noise as ‘absolutely addictive’ and by The Jazz Mann as ‘nothing less than extraordinary’, their 2022 album Water Music paid tribute to mid- to late-twentieth century artists who shook the world to its core, driving political and social change in their wake, including Jeanne Lee, Alice Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, and Don Cherry. The pair also have four records of purely improvised music to their name, the latest of which, Judas, was released in support of United Help Ukraine.

In 2022, they appeared at Lancaster Jazz Festival and Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music, as well as venues in Bristol, Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Leeds, leading a workshop with jazz students at Leeds Conservatoire, as well as working in schools in Gateshead and Sunderland as ensemble in residence, a scheme facilitated by MishMash Productions. More recently, they released 23323, an album recorded live at Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. In August 2023, they made their London debut at the internationally celebrated Cafe OTO.

This summer, they will appear at GemArts Masala Festival with poet Nisha Ramayya in an experimental homage to their shared influences, as well as recording a new studio album.

Solo acoustic double bill with shakuhachi grandmaster Cornelius Boots and chimerical violinist John Garner.

New music, Ancient sounds: a dynamic presentation of a grandmaster of the bamboo flute of Japanese Zen Buddhism and an iconoclastic violinist, each with their own deep training and experience in both modern music and spiritual cultivation facets of their instruments. Shakuhachi has captivated both of these lifelong musickers into its world of nature, meditation, technical limitations, and expressive possibilities. 

Pennsylvania resident and certified Grandmaster (dai shihan) Cornelius Boots presents the living tradition of shakuhachi. His concert-meditation program features traditional Buddhist devotional repertoire (or "honkyoku") alongside original compositions in his distinctive nature blues house style, and arrangements of John Coltrane, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Lee theme music. This music is a transmission of the power and vitality of the breath as it both emerges from and connects us to Nature. The old monastic Natural bore (jinashi) and larger, low-pitched flutes (bass or alto) flutes are featured on this program: they provide a strong connection – for both the player and the listener – to a deeper, almost primeval past: echoes from the ancient days of the Earth. https://corneliusboots.com/

A tireless experimenter, versed in multiple traditions, John Garner has forged a radically unique voice as a violinist, combining a quicksilver and innovative technique with a freewheeling improvisational aesthetic. He is a senior lecturer in jazz at Leeds Conservatoire, a tutor at the Centre for Advanced Training (Glasshouse International Centre for Music), and an artist with MishMash Productions' pioneering Musicians-in-Residence programme. A graduate of the Royal College of Music and Guildhall School of Music & Drama, John is now a Clara Whittaker Music PhD scholar at Newcastle University, where his creative practice research considers the ethics of musical practice, specifically as understood through the lens of Buddhist teachings and philosophy; how various aspects of that practice are transformed thereby; and how these learnings are enacted through our ways of being as musicians in community and beyond.

Marie Schreer, John Garner, John Pope

Mainly Two is the meeting of two powerful and distinct, yet complementary musical voices. Violinist, researcher and educator John Garner combines backgrounds in Western classical, jazz, Carnatic, and Japanese musical traditions, channeled through a singular improvisational approach. Marie Schreer, renowned soloist, chamber musician, section leader at The Hallé and member of the Riot Ensemble and its artistic board, has quickly established herself as a champion of new music in the UK and abroad. For this performance, they are joined by double bassist John Pope.

A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | FREE

(If you would prefer to book directly over the phone, please call the Library Desk team on 0191 232 0192 and they will be happy to help)

‘Pay what you wish’

There is no set ticket price for this event, but if you would like to make a small donation to support the good work of The Lit & Phil we would be very grateful. Click the link above to donate via Paypal.

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Now in their second decade, with over twenty commissions (amongst them Laurence Osborn, Kate Williams, and Blasio Kavuma) and four albums under their belt, the duo have performed extensively at prestigious venues including The Glasshouse International Centre for Music and St David’s Hall in Cardiff, and in collaboration with organisations such as Nonclassical, Listenpony, Bastard Assignments and the Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music. Both experienced pedagogues, they have also worked with students at Glasgow and Newcastle Universities as well as Leeds Conservatoire and The Glasshouse.

In a special performance commissioned for Masala Festival, bassist John Pope and violinist John Garner will play alongside poet Nisha Ramayya in an experimental homage to their shared influences. Drawing upon Pope and Garner’s 2022 album Water Music and Ramayya’s forthcoming collection Fantasia, the trio will celebrate luminaries of jazz and poetry including Alice Coltrane, Moten/López/Cleaver, and Nathanial Mackey and The Creaking Breeze Ensemble. The work of these great artists extends art into the realms of spiritual community, collective study, and political action, and Pope, Garner, and Ramayya perform with an attunement to the changes that become possible when we come together to play. The event will include a discussion chaired by Preti Taneja (Director of NCLA) before the music/poetry performance.  
 
Presented by GemArts, Jazz North East and Newcastle Centre for Literary Arts

GemArts award winning Masala Festival is back from 15 – 21 July 2024 celebrating a mix and blend of the finest South Asian Arts and Culture, packed full of performances, exhibitions, events, workshops, talks, pop ups and delicious Indian food in venues, places and spaces across the North East. For full Masala Festival 2024 programme visit www.gemarts.org.

Nisha Ramayya works across poetry, criticism, and collaborative performance, and teaches creative writing. She’s the author of States of the Body Produced by Love (Ignota, 2019) and a new poetry collection Fantasia, which is coming out with Granta in August 2024. Fantasia hazards a listening walk through seashells, telecommunication networks, and cosmic vibrations, to learn something new about how we sound. Alice Coltrane's experiments in jazz and spiritual community guide these poems that hum and glitch, that leap across space-time, landing in and reflecting the discordant music of life on earth.
 
Having played together now for many years, powerful Tyneside bassist John Pope and mercurial virtuoso violinist John Garner have developed a unique improvisational language, channeled through the lens of their contemporary experience in myriad musical traditions. Described by A Jazz Noise as ‘absolutely addictive’ and by The Jazz Mann as ‘nothing less than extraordinary’, their 2022 album Water Music paid tribute to mid- to late-twentieth century artists who shook the world to its core, driving political and social change in their wake, including Jeanne Lee, Alice Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, and Don Cherry. The pair also have four records of purely improvised music to their name, the latest of which, Judas, was released in support of United Help Ukraine. In 2022, they appeared at Lancaster Jazz Festival and Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music, as well as venues in Bristol, Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Leeds, leading a workshop with jazz students at Leeds Conservatoire, as well as working in schools in Gateshead and Sunderland as ensemble in residence, a scheme facilitated by MishMash Productions. More recently, they released 23323, an album recorded live at Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. In August 2023, they made their London debut at the internationally celebrated Cafe OTO. 

Preti Taneja is Professor of World Literature and Creative Writing at Newcastle University, and Director of the Newcastle Centre for the Literary Arts (NCLA).

Making their debut in Congleton, powerful Tyneside bassist John Pope and mercurial virtuoso violinist John Garner have developed a unique improvisational language rooted in jazz. Described by A Jazz Noise as ‘absolutely addictive’ and by The Jazz Mann as ‘nothing less than extraordinary’, their 2022 album Water Music paid tribute to mid- to late-twentieth century artists who shook the world to its core, driving political and social change in their wake, including Jeanne Lee, Alice Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, and Don Cherry. The pair also have four records of purely improvised music to their name, the latest of which, Judas, was released in support of United Help Ukraine. In 2022, they appeared at Lancaster Jazz Festival and Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music, as well as venues in Bristol, Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Leeds, leading a workshop with jazz students at Leeds Conservatoire, and working in schools in Gateshead and Sunderland as musicians in residence, a scheme facilitated by MishMash Productions. More recently, they released 23323, an album recorded live at Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. In August 2023, they made their London debut at the internationally celebrated Cafe OTO.

1pm: solo and duet performances throughout the park

2:30pm - 4pm: performance in the Rose Garden

Pay what you feel

Both internationally renowned improvisers, Garner and Pope pay tribute to ‘The New Thing’, the wave of mid- to late-twentieth century artists who shook the world to its core, driving political and social change in their wake. The duo have immersed themselves in the singular repertoire of composers including Don Cherry, Ornette Coleman, Jimmy Garrison, Jeanne Lee, Mary Lou Williams, and Misha Mengelberg, channeling these titanic spirits through the lens of their contemporary experience in myriad musical traditions. Spontaneous, transitory and ecstatic, the pair will plunge headlong into a thrilling and, at times, terrifying world of sounds and colours.

Both internationally renowned improvisers, Garner and Pope pay tribute to ‘The New Thing’, the wave of mid- to late-twentieth century artists who shook the world to its core, driving political and social change in their wake. The duo have immersed themselves in the singular repertoire of composers including Don Cherry, Ornette Coleman, Jimmy Garrison, Jeanne Lee, Mary Lou Williams, and Misha Mengelberg, channeling these titanic spirits through the lens of their contemporary experience in myriad musical traditions. Spontaneous, transitory and ecstatic, the pair will plunge headlong into a thrilling and, at times, terrifying world of sounds and colours.

Having played together now for many years, powerful Tyneside bassist John Pope and mercurial virtuoso violinist John Garner have developed a unique improvisational language, channeled through the lens of their contemporary experience in myriad musical traditions. Described by A Jazz Noise as ‘absolutely addictive’ and by The Jazz Mann as ‘nothing less than extraordinary’, their 2022 album Water Music paid tribute to mid- to late-twentieth century artists who shook the world to its core, driving political and social change in their wake, including Jeanne Lee, Alice Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, and Don Cherry. The pair also have four records of purely improvised music to their name, the latest of which, Judas, was released in support of United Help Ukraine. In 2022, they appeared at Lancaster Jazz Festival and Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music, as well as venues in Bristol, Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Leeds, leading a workshop with jazz students at Leeds Conservatoire, as well as working in schools in Gateshead and Sunderland as ensemble in residence, a scheme facilitated by MishMash Productions. More recently, they released 23323, an album recorded live at Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. In August 2023, they made their London debut at the internationally celebrated Cafe OTO. This cominng July, they will join poet Nisha Ramayya at GemArts Masala Festival in an experimental homage to their shared influences.

Turquoise Coconut presents ‘Prayers for Palestine’, a fundraising concert bringing together musicians and spoken word artists for an evening of collective contemplation on the themes of grief, loss, and suffering, but also hope, forgiveness, and transformation.

Through this performance, Turquoise Coconut hopes to raise vital funds, to show solidarity with all who suffer at the hands of this appalling violence, and to offer a space for grounded and patient reflection in a spirit of communal resistance.

All proceeds will go to Medical Aid for Palestinians. MAP has launched an unprecedented emergency response amid growing critical health needs in Gaza and the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem, resulting from the current escalation of violence and Israel’s ongoing bombardment and complete siege on Gaza.

Spoken word contributions will be given by Tahmina Ali and Ellie Armon Azoulay. The musical ensemble will feature Will Hammond (vibraphone), Faye MacCalman (reeds), John Pope (double bass), Tobias Sarra (voice & keys), and John Garner (violin & shakuhachi).

Entry is free, but generous donations (cash or card) are kindly requested. To donate in advance, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/prayers-for-palestine.

Experience an immersive improvised outdoor music performance inspired by blossom and blooms.

Shunyata Improvisation Group bring their extraordinary style of music to Gibside: intimate, distinct, quiet, acoustic and entirely composed in the moment. Inspired by zen approaches to art, the music spontaneously evolves and transforms, rising and falling, providing an immersive meditative experience.

Playing in different combinations around Gibside, the main performance will take place in the Walled Garden. Audience members are free to stay for the whole performance or come and go as they please.

Shunyata Improvisation Group have released four albums on respected independent labels. They have performed at a variety of events including Tusk, Durham Jazz Festival and the Newcastle Late Show.

1pm - 1.30pm Musicians play a solo improvisation in 4 settings on pathways from the woodland through the Orangery and Walled Garden.

1.30pm - 2.20pm Musicians will roam freely through Gibside, joining with each other to play together in impromptu duets and trios.

2.30pm - 3.30pm Musicians will form as Shunyata Improvisation Group in the Walled Garden for a final longform improvisation.

3.30pm - 4pm Musicians will dissipate throughout the Walled Garden and beyond.

In case of heavy rain, the musicians will play in the chapel from 2.30pm - 4pm.

This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.

Part of The Future is Green, our In Focus: The Climate Agenda takes place across two days. Students will delve into the connection between music and climate change through contemporary chamber works by a range of composers. We’re also including new works by our students, past and present.

Experience powerful activism, breath-taking landscapes, and poignant reflections on our planet’s fragility.

This final event in our focus opens with the RNCM New Ensemble performing ecomusic from various composers including new works from RNCM composition student Joe Bloom and a commission by RNCM alum Asteryth Sloane.

For the second half we’re delighted to welcome the trailblazing Riot Ensemble, a group who have made a name for themselves connecting people with contemporary music.  They will perform two new works by our students which they have recently been workshopping, alongside the final work by Gabriella Smith, and they will be joined by guest flautist Kathryn Williams for the world première of Benjamin Graves’ Rindik, a work that takes inspiration from protected marine areas in Indonesia.

Gabriella Smith Maré for mixed ensemble
Cheryl Frances-Hoad The Whole Earth Dances for mixed ensemble
Joe Bloom New work for mixed ensemble
Asteryth Sloane New commission for mixed ensemble

Mark Heron, Maria Carbosa conductors
RNCM New Ensemble

Gabriella Smith Anthozoa *
Benjamin Graves Rindik (world première) ^
+ New works by RNCM Students *

Josephine Korda, Andreas Asiikkis, Matteo Dal Maso conductors
Kathryn Williams flute ^
Riot Ensemble: *
John Garner violin, Louise McMonagle cello, Adam Swayne piano, Sam Wilson percussion

2pm: doors

2:15pm- 3:45pm: music

Pay what you feel

John Garner presents ‘Making It Up’, a trilogy of events exploring improvisation through performance and discussion. Welcoming a different duo partner each time, the sessions will feature a set of fully improvised music, followed by a live discussion between the artists and a Q & A with the audience, offering an opportunity to consider spontaneous creation from multiple perspectives in a spirit of collective curiosity and challenge.

For this session John Garner will be joined by Laura Stutter Garcia. Laura [pronounced lao-dah] is an electronic musician based in Newcastle who plays under the name Late Girl. Laura uses found sound and programming music tools to create looming melodies that hint at a classical background and perverted samples of surreal humour.

John Garner presents ‘Making It Up’, a trilogy of events exploring improvisation through performance and discussion. Welcoming a different duo partner each time, the sessions will feature a set of fully improvised music, followed by a live discussion between the artists and a Q & A with the audience, offering an opportunity to consider spontaneous creation from multiple perspectives in a spirit of collective curiosity and challenge.

For this session John Garner will be joined by open-hearted improviser, bass player & collaborator John Pope.

Galvanize Ensemble is a flexible ensemble of musicians who work with composers, artists, film and text to create installations, cross disciplinary performances and exhibitions. They are based in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Cumbria and London, UK, run by pianist Kate Halsall.

Players for Newcastle and Glasgow are Sarah Dacey (voice), John Garner (violin), and Kate Halsall (harmonium and keys).

Sound Thought is a Glasgow-based collective of experimental sound artists, composers, and audio engineers, whose practices include improvisation, collaboration, performance, audiovisual and acoustic composition, field recording, and installation work.

Players for Glasgow are Melissa Rankin, Beth Horseman, Cat Hawthorn, and Steven Myles.

£8 in advance
Entry Requirements: Over 18s only

Galvanize Ensemble is a flexible ensemble of musicians who work with composers, artists, film and text to create installations, cross disciplinary performances and exhibitions. They are based in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Cumbria and London, UK, run by pianist Kate Halsall.

Players for Newcastle and Glasgow are Sarah Dacey voice, John Garner violin, Kate Halsall harmonium and keys.

Sound Thought is a Glasgow-based collective of experimental sound artists, composers, and audio engineers, whose practices include improvisation, collaboration, performance, audiovisual and acoustic composition, field recording, and installation work.

Players for Newcastle and Glasgow are Melissa Rankin composer, sound artist, Cat Hawthorn sound designer and artist, Beth Horseman audio/visual artist.

Shunyata Improvisation Group present a concert of intimate, meditative, slowly evolving acoustic music, featuring trubba not (guitar), John Garner (violin & shakuhachi), Mark Carroll (cello), and NofC (voice, percussion & melodeon).

Pay what you feel. All proceeds go to the Watch House Building Fund.

John Garner presents ‘Making It Up’, a trilogy of events exploring improvisation through performance and discussion. Welcoming a different duo partner each time, the sessions will feature a set of fully improvised music, followed by a live discussion between the artists and a Q & A with the audience, offering an opportunity to consider spontaneous creation from multiple perspectives in a spirit of collective curiosity and challenge.

The first of three guests is Newcastle based songwriter, improviser, artist & workshop facilitator Tobias Sarra.

TQ Live and Auntie Joy present: An Evening of Sound and Silence, featuring performances from  Shunyata Improvisation Group, Subphotic and Cloudland Blue Quartet.

Shunyata Improvisation Group – playing extraordinary music; intimate, distinct, quiet, acoustic, entirely composed in the moment.

Subphotic – floating on a sea of analogue synths, a voice rises from the darkness. Folktronic naturemusik.

Cloudland Blue Quartet – field recordings, short wave radios, disquiet guitars, treatments, pianos, synths, string quartets, rhythm beds.

North East improvisers’ troupe Anarchist Reading Group record their second LP live in front of a studio audience. Share in the anarchy.

Featuring Adam Stapleford, Gabriela Heller, Tobias Sarra, John Pope, and John Garner. As space is extremely limited, booking is required.

The scale of the emergency in Gaza is unprecedented. Medical Aid for Palestinians has a team in the Strip distributing medical supplies, aid and food. They are also working to procure and distribute other critical supplies like mattresses, blankets, and hygiene kits. The team are working with local partners to distribute hot meals to thousands of families forced to flee their homes. However, they are in urgent need of supplies to continue their efforts.

Through this concert, presented by Turquoise Coconut in collaboration with The Globe, we hope to raise crucial funds, to send a message of solidarity from the people of the North East to the people of Palestine, and to implore the international community to see reason, doing everything possible to bring an immediate end to this senseless violence.

Live-stream: https://www.youtube.com/live/EZFWvdgF_Dk?feature=shared

The line-up will feature:

- Tobias Sarra
- Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno
- Peony
- Amy Thatcher and Francesca Knowles
- Collective Improvisation (with members of the other groups plus John Pope, Thomas Dixon and John Garner)

Entry is free, but generous donations (cash or card) are requested. Early or late donations can be made here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/concert-for-palestine

Graphics designed by Sally Anderson, illustration by Michael Goodson.